MERCED, Calif. - Jenn Salinger and Haylee Heffner tallied a hat-trick and the University of California, Merced women's soccer team routed Pacific Union College 10-1 in the home finale at Bobcat Field on Friday afternoon.
The Bobcats (8-6-1, 6-1) ten goals was their second highest scoring output of the season and this year marks the second season in program history in which the Bobcats scored double figure goals in multiple California Pacific Conference games.
Salinger's hat-trick was her program-best sixth of her career, third this season which is a program single-season record. UC Merced's all-time leading scorer found the back of the net twice towards the end of the first half and then once more less than 90 seconds into the second half after following a Ciera Santos shot.
Salinger also had an assist in each half for her first career eight-point match. Her efforts upped her 2021 total to 43 total points which is tied for the second highest mark by a Cal Pac player in the last ten years.
Heffner's hat-trick was the first of her career, becoming the eleventh Bobcat all-time with a hat-trick but just the third true freshman to ever do so joining the likes of Salinger and Isabella Spiva. Heffner, who has scored five times in the last four games, is now second on the team with seven goals this season.
The Merced, Calif., native tallied her hat-trick with three goals in an 18-minute span (50', 54', 68').
Spiva scored the Bobcats first goal of the day, an equalizer in the 33rd minute off a Salinger through ball. Spiva's goal was her fifth of the year, tying her career-high originally set in her freshman campaign. She assisted Heffner's first goal, marking her fourth career game with at least a goal and an assist.
Salinger was responsible for the game-winning goal in the 37th minute.
The Bobcats other goal scorers on Friday afternoon were Kylee Silva, Trinity Dunbar and Stephanie Medina. Silva and Dunbar's goals were the first of their career's.
Medina's goal was her third of the year, second in the last three games.
Vanessa Raygoza was credited with her first assist in a Bobcat uniform on Dunbar's goal. Nadia Maldonado set up Medina's score.
The Bobcats outshot Pacific Union 32-4 and won the corner kick battle 11-1.
Salinger and Heffner shared match-high with six shots, while Spiva and Lilly Boucher each got off three.
Veronica Vazquez and Jadyn Gong split time between the posts. Vazquez made two saves, Gong wasn't tasked with any.
Looking ahead, UC Merced hits the road for the regular season finale against Cal Maritime. First touch from Bodnar Field in Vallejo, Calif., is scheduled for 1:00pm.
